An Evaluation of Progressive-Ratio Schedules Using Different Break Points

Document Type

Thesis

College

College of Arts and Sciences

Department

Psychology

Degree

M.S. Applied Behavior Analysis

Date Completed

Fall 2023

First Committee Member

Roscoe, Eileen M.

Second Committee Member

Thompson, Rachel H.

Abstract

A progressive schedule is a schedule of reinforcement in which response requirements increases across schedule completions. One type of progressive schedule is a progressive-ratio (PR) schedule. A PR schedule increases the ratio requirement after each reinforcement delivery. The breaking point is the last schedule requirement completed, and a break-point criterion is a period of time without a response that results in session termination. Although PR schedules have been applied in numerous studies, there is no standard for the duration of time used as the break-point criterion. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the effects of different break-point criteria on the measurement of the reinforcing efficacy of different consequences. The results showed the same ranking of relative reinforcing efficacy under small differences in break-point criteria and disruption of rankings under large differences in break-point criteria.

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